Hanuman to the Rescue

by Ruskin Bond

  The Golden Deer

  Rama and his companions were enjoying the cool dawn of a summer’s morning, before the sun rose in fiery splendour and forced them to seek shelter. Lakshman wandered a little way from the glade in search of fresh fruits, while Rama and Sita busied themselves with household tasks.

  ‘Oh, look!’ cried Sita suddenly, pointing to a young gazelle which had just bounded into sight. ‘Such a beautiful little creature! How graceful it is and how lovely its shining coat. Like living gold! I wish it were mine.’

  ‘And what would you do with it?’ asked Rama.

  ‘I would make it my play fellow,’ she answered wistfully. ‘And when the long years of our exile have passed, I would take it with me to Ayodhya.’

  ‘You shall have your desire,’ said Rama, and he darted in pursuit of the gazelle, but the timid little creature sprang back and hid itself among the trees.

  Sita gave a cry of disappointment, and the gazelle reappeared, only to elude Rama’s grasp once more by springing still further into the forest.

  ‘I will catch the animal for you, never fear,’ said Rama, and called out to his brother, ‘Lakshman, come and look after Sita while I catch this deer.’

  Lakshman returned to the glade to remain with Sita, and Rama, picking up his bow and arrows, ran swiftly after the gazelle, which was darting about in a tantalizing fashion. First, it led Rama through some thickets, then it rushed far into the forest. It went so far that the prince grew hot and weary. But he would not give up the pursuit.

  ‘This is the first thing Sita has asked for since we came to live in the forest,’ he told himself. ‘If it is in my power to grant it, she shall have her wish.’

  On bounded the gazelle, now coming near Rama, now hiding itself, until at last, when the prince realized how far he had travelled from the vale of Panchavati, he began to feel uneasy.

  ‘This is not the way of an innocent wild creature,’ he thought. ‘What if this is some trick of the demons to lure me away from Sita! It’s a good thing Lakshman is with her.’ Once more the gazelle darted towards him, then, as Rama raised his hand, it sprang away.

  ‘No,’ said the puzzled Prince, ‘even if I were to capture this animal, it would not be a fit playmate for Sita. Instead, I will kill the creature and take her its golden fur.’

  So Rama drew his bow and let fly one of his magic arrows. Immediately, the animal fell to the ground and Rama felt a pang of remorse for having injured such a beautiful creature.

  And then a strange thing happened.

  The gazelle began to change its shape until it took the form of a demon with a deadly wound in his side!

  It was Marichi who, by means of his sorcery, had turned himself into a gazelle, hoping to lure both Rama and Lakshman from Sita’s side.

  Half the demon’s work had been done, for here was Rama, far from his wife but, as he looked upon the Prince with eyes of hatred, Marichi made one last effort to complete the task that Ravana had set him.

  ‘Help, Lakshman, help!’ he shouted in a voice which was exactly like Rama’s. Then the demon fell back lifeless, whilst Rama stood by with wonder and disquiet in his heart.

  Marichi’s dying cry had echoed through the forest, as far as the vale of Panchavati, and at the terrible sound, Sita looked at Lakshman in terror.

  ‘It was the voice of Rama!’ she cried. ‘He is in danger. Go quickly to him, Lakshman!’

  ‘No, Sita,’ said Lakshman gravely. ‘I cannot leave you, for I gave my word to Rama that I would remain with you during his absence.’

  ‘Oh, do go, I implore you,’ cried Sita, almost in tears. ‘Hurry, brother, or you will be too late.’ ‘Calm yourself,’ said Lakshman. ‘It was the voice of some evil spirit in the forest. Why should Rama call for help? He can protect himself with the magic arrows of Agastya.’

  But Sita refused to be comforted. ‘Are you a coward?’ she cried bitterly. ‘Are you afraid to help your brother?’

  She continued to taunt him until, at last, Lakshman agreed to go. Begging her not to leave the hut no matter what happened, he hurried away in the direction from which the mysterious cry had come.

  The Capture of Sita

  Sita was not afraid of being left alone, but she could not bear the thought that Lakshman might arrive too late to help Rama. She blamed herself for the foolish whim that had sent Rama off in the quest of the gazelle.

  The moments passed, and each one seemed like an hour to Sita as she crouched by the hut, watching every movement of the trees and listening intently for the sound of footsteps. Presently, she heard a rustling in the bushes and she sprang to her feet. A man stood there, but he was neither Rama nor Lakshman, only an old hermit with bowed shoulders and a flowing white beard.

  As the old man drew near, Sita noticed with a pang of fear that a change had stolen over the forest. Until then, the sun had shone and the trees had been noisy with birdsong. Now there was nothing to be heard. Not a leaf rustled. The sky was suddenly overcast.

  ‘May I rest here for a while?’ asked the stranger in a feeble voice. ‘I am tired and hungry.’

  ‘I will bring you food and water,’ said Sita timidly, and the old man thanked her. His gaze was steady, his eyes curiously bright and piercing.

  ‘Who are you, lady?’ he asked. ‘And why do you live in this dangerous and lonely forest? Your beauty and grace should adorn a palace, not this rude hut.’

  Sita told him how she had chosen to share the exile of her husband, and when she explained that her fancy for the gazelle had caused both Rama and Lakshman to leave her alone, the old man smiled to himself. Then he stood upright, and at once a change took place in him—his shrunken height increased to a mighty stature, his aged face grew youthful, bold and mocking, and his hermit’s robe fell to the ground, revealing the regal clothes beneath. It was none other than the king of the demons who stood there—terrible Ravana himself!

  Sita drew back with a cry of terror.

  ‘Have no fear, Sita, I will not harm you,’ said Ravana in a friendly manner. ‘You must know that I am Ravana, the demon king, and I have come here to make you my queen. You will live in my beautiful palace on the island of Lanka and your days will be full of delight.’

  He held out his arms, but Sita shrank from him, crying proudly: ‘Don’t you know that I am the wife of Prince Rama!’ ‘Rama will never return to you,’ said Ravana. ‘My brother Marichi has dealt with him. It was Marichi himself who took the form of a gazelle in order to lure Rama deep into the forest.’ Sita did not know whether to believe him or not, but on his face she saw nothing but triumph.

  ‘You will come with me,’ he ordered. His magic chariot appeared, and he forced her into it. As the chariot soared upwards, Sita felt that all was lost.

  ‘You can carry me away,’ she cried desperately, ‘but I will never become your queen. I will remain faithful to Rama, whether he is alive or dead.’

  Ravana’s only reply was to urge his steeds to travel faster, for he saw in the distance a dark speck coming towards him, and he was afraid that someone was already in pursuit.

  Nearer came this strange speck and Ravana recognized it as Jatayu, the king of the vultures, who had always been an enemy of the demon race. ‘Stop, Ravana!’ cried the great bird as he soared above the chariot. ‘Where are you taking her?’ ‘Oh good bird, help me!’ called Sita. ‘I am the wife of Prince Rama, and this cruel king has captured me by cunning and force.’

  ‘Let her go,’ commanded Jatayu.

  ‘Out of my way, ugly bird,’ said Ravana scornfully.

  Jatayu hurled herself fiercely upon Ravana but the demon king thrust his spear deep into the vulture’s side.

  ‘Sita, I cannot help you now,’ moaned the wounded bird. ‘May the gods protect you.’ And gasping with pain, noble Jatayu sank down to the earth far below.

  Ravana laughed in triumph and the chariot floated on, above plains and hills, and over a great mountain. Sita caught a glimpse of some huge monkeys moving about on the mountain. A
cting on a sudden impulse, she loosened her scarf and necklace and let them fall into the hands of the creatures beneath her.

  Onward flew the chariot, over villages and cities, until at last it neared the sea coast. Then away it flew over the stormy ocean, to the emerald isle of Lanka, where Sita was destined to spend several sad and lonely years.

  After the strange death of the demon, Marichi, Rama hurried back to the vale of Panchavati, but he had not gone far before he met Lakshman coming towards him.

  ‘Where is Sita?’ shouted Rama. ‘You have left her unguarded!’

  Lakshman began to explain what had happened but Rama cried out: ‘Oh Lakshman, we have been tricked! Come quickly, for there is evil about in the forest.’

  They rushed back, calling for Sita, but when they reached the hut they found it empty.

  ‘The demons have stolen her,’ said Rama and though the brothers continued to search for her, they could find no trace of her until they discovered the vulture, Jatayu, bleeding to death from the wound in his side.

  ‘Are you searching for Sita, the wife of Rama?’ asked the bird, raising his head with an effort.

  ‘I received this wound in her defence. Ravana took her in his chariot…’

  ‘Where—tell us where!’ pleaded Rama. ‘In which direction did they go?’

  ‘Southwards,’ whispered the dying bird. ‘Towards the highest mountain—take help from Sugriv, the Vanar King…’ And then the great bird died.

  In order to show their gratitude and respect for Jatayu, Rama and Lakshman lit a fire and gave the noble bird an honourable funeral. Then, with hope still alive in their hearts, they set out to find the mountain that lay to the south.

  Hanuman to the Rescue

  For many days their way lay through dark forest, but at last they reached open country once more, and beyond the wide plain which stretched before them, they could see a lofty mountain in the distance.

  They hurried towards it, but just as they were about to start climbing, a huge monkey appeared from a dense thicket to bar their way.

  ‘Stay where you are,’ said the great animal fiercely. ‘I am Hanuman, the minister of King Sugriv, who lives upon this mountain. Tell me why you are here.’

  In spite of his fierce appearance and rough manner, there was something kindly in Hanuman’s face, Rama felt.

  To his joy he soon learned that not only had Hanuman seen Ravana’s chariot flying southward, but that a woman in the car had flung down her ornaments, which happened to have fallen into Hanuman’s hands. He showed Rama these treasures, and the Prince at once recognized Sita’s silken scarf and glittering necklace.

  ‘Perhaps our king can help you,’ said Hanuman. ‘Come, follow me to my master.’

  As the big monkey led Rama and Lakshman up the mountain, he told them that Sugriv was really the king of the great monkey tribe called Vanars, but that his wicked brother, Bali, had driven him from the kingdom and taken the throne for himself. Sugriv had fled to this mountain, where he had lived in exile for some years, deserted by all his subjects except a few faithful warriors, of whom Hanuman was the chief.

  ‘If you can help Sugriv to recover his throne,’ said Hanuman, ‘then he would gladly raise an army to attack Ravana, for the demons have always been enemies of our race.’

  At the top of the mountain sat the exiled monkey king, brooding fiercely over his wrongs.

  He was pleased to see Rama and Lakshman. Troubled by the demons as well as by his treacherous brother, he was glad to have the princes as his allies.

  ‘If you possess mighty weapons, Prince,’ he said, ‘I beg you to help me, for I cannot deal with my cunning brother Bali on my own.’

  Rama suggested that no time be lost, so he and Lakshman, in the company of their Vanar friends, journeyed to Sugriv’s former kingdom.

  When Bali heard that his brother was advancing against him, he rushed forward to meet him, and they fell upon each other with cries of hatred and revenge. At first Rama stood by, hoping that Sugriv would win unaided, but Bali began to get the upper hand. In order to save Sugriv from a deadly blow, Rama let fly one of his magic arrows, which struck Bali dead. Sugriv was restored to his throne.

  True to his word, King Sugriv sent four mighty armies north, south, east and west in order to discover where Ravana had hidden Sita. The southern army was commanded by Hanuman, who had vowed not to return without news of Sita.

  He led his forces further and further south, through swamp and jungle, over hill and plain, to within sight of the ocean which washed the shores of the land. At last, he was rewarded for his tireless search.

  At the top of a mountain, he found an old vulture called Sampati, the brother of the good Jatayu who had lost his life in the defence of Sita. Sampati had singed his wings in a bold attempt to fly over the sun, and he was now resting to recover from his injuries. He told Hanuman that, before he had fallen from the dizzy heights to which he had ascended, he had seen the chariot of Ravana coming down on the shores of the island of Lanka.

  ‘There was someone struggling in the chariot,’ said Sampati. ‘She must have been Sita. But how will you rescue her? The island is surrounded by dangerous sea which only Ravana and his demons have been able to cross.’

  Hanuman decided to visit Lanka by himself in order to discover how strong the demons were and what would be the best way of rescuing Sita. So, leaving his army to rest, he slipped away to the sea coast, but there he found that Sampati’s warning was only too true. Stormy seas divided the island from the mainland.

  But Hanuman did not give up easily. He had always been famed for his great prowess in leaping, and he decided to make an attempt to spring over the raging waters.

  He climbed to the top of a rock, took one flying leap, and found himself on the shores of Lanka.

  Hanuman’s Tail of Fire

  Hanuman looked about him, and was astonished that the place was so beautiful. The soft grass at his feet was studded with flowers, the trees around him were covered with spring blossoms. In the distance shone the white walls of a great city.

  He lingered outside the city until it grew dark. Then, afraid that his great size might attract attention, he changed himself into a tiny monkey and nimbly scaled the city walls.

  It did not take him long to find Ravana’s palace. He went from window to window but he could not see Sita in any of the apartments. For, having refused time and again to marry Ravana, she had been kept prisoner in a solitary part of the prison grounds, where she was guarded by several cruel demons who missed no opportunity to tease and torment her. Then, wandering in the palace gardens, Hanuman glimpsed a small white pavilion, half hidden in a grove of Asoka trees. He peeped through a window, and could hardly hold back a cry of joy, for there lay the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and he knew that Sita was found at last. Her sorrow had made her pale and thin, but her goodness and beauty could not be destroyed.

  He waited until she came to the window, and then in a gentle voice he whispered, ‘Rama.’

  Sita gave a start, but seeing no one except a tiny monkey before her, she thought she must have dreamt that she had heard Rama’s name being whispered.

  ‘Rama,’ whispered Hanuman again, and this time he held out a golden ring which Rama had given him, and upon which the name of the prince was engraved.

  At the sight of this token from her husband, Sita got very excited, but Hanuman begged her to control herself, for, should her demon guards discover him, his plans for her rescue might fail. But the guards paid no attention to the little chattering monkey, and he told Sita that he would bring Rama to her rescue without delay. Already, he told her, an army was preparing to march on Lanka.

  Unfortunately, as he was leaving the city, he could not resist the temptation of troubling Ravana. Changing back to his natural size, he tore up huge trees and stones and hurled them at the walls of Ravana’s palace. He was enjoying himself so much that he failed to notice that demons were rushing to attack him from all directions. When at la
st he become aware of the danger, he seized a marble pillar as a weapon and leaped upon the roof of Ravana’s palace.

  ‘Long live Rama!’ he cried, laying about with his marble club. ‘I am Hanuman, friend of Rama, here to bring ruin upon Ravana and his demons!’

  He took another leap, hoping that it would land him beyond the reach of his enemies, but he was struck by an arrow and fell to the earth, surrounded by hordes of shrieking, revengeful demons.

  Though Hanuman was only slightly wounded, he was now completely in the power of his enemies. They put him in chains and dragged him before Ravana.

  ‘A quick death would be too small a punishment for this intruder,’ declared Ravana. ‘Set the spying ape alight, and let him slowly burn to death.’

  The demons brought strips of cotton soaked in oil and bound them round Hanuman’s tail; then they set fire to these rags and stood by to gloat over him.

  When Sita was told what was happening, she offered a prayer to the God of fire: ‘Oh, Agni! If there be any goodness in me, be good to Hanuman. Do not hurt him.’

  The rags soaked in oil burned brightly, but the fire did not hurt Hanuman. He tore off his bonds with a mighty effort and leaped away from his astonished enemies, lashing his tail to and fro and setting fire to everything it touched. He jumped from one tall building to another, setting fire to them. In a little while, a strong breeze began to blow and half the city was in flames.

  Hanuman went to the sea and, plunging in, put out the fire on his tail.

  Then he rushed back to the pavilion to warn Sita to keep far away from the flames. Returning to the seashore, he crossed the ocean with another powerful leap and went in search of Rama.